The Dairy Podcast Show

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, John Gerbitz from Cow Corner Robotic Milking Consulting shares practical insights on managing robotic milking systems in the dairy cattle industry. He explains why cow comfort, feeding consistency, reproduction, and basic management fundamentals matter as much in robotic barns as in conventional parlors. The conversation also covers stocking density, guided versus free flow systems, and realistic expectations when transitioning to robots. Listen now on all major platforms. "The fundamentals that support successful conventional dairies are the same fundamentals that support efficient robotic milking systems when managed with discipline and consistency." Meet the guest: John Gerbitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gerbitz-a206b812/ is the owner and consultant at Cow Corner Robotic Milking Consulting, where he helps dairy farms improve robotic milking performance and profitability. With over 40 years in the dairy cattle industry, including roles as a dairy farmer, advisor, and industry consultant, his work focuses on cow comfort, feeding systems, and efficient robot management. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+dairy+podcast+show What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:51) Introduction (02:51) Cow comfort (06:31) Feed management (09:26) Reproduction impact (16:21) Robot planning (27:59) Stocking density (32:34) Final three questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * Jones-Hamilton Co. (https://joneshamiltonag.com/) * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) * Afimilk (https://hubs.la/Q03f1mLN0) * CowManager (https://www.cowmanager.com/) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) * Agri-Comfort (https://agri-comfort.com/the-dairy-podcast/) - BoviSync (https://bovisync.com/) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - dsm-firmenich (https://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - Protekta (https://protekta.com) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) - DietForge (https://dietforge.ai/) - Agrarian Solutions (https://agrariansolutions.com/) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://www.wisenetix.com/dairypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dairypodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairy-podcast/ #podcast #agriculture #dairy #milkproduction #cowfarming #dairyfarming #dairyfarm #dairycows #holstein #farm #livestock #farming

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Martin Folkema, Product Manager at Agri-Comfort in Canada, explains how flooring design influences dairy cow mobility, health, and longevity. Discussion covers lameness prevalence, biological impacts of concrete surfaces, and how rubber flooring can support traction, hoof health, and cow comfort. Practical insights include installation priorities and return on investment considerations for dairy operations. Listen now on all major platforms! "Rubber flooring provides shock absorption similar to pasture conditions, allowing dairy cattle to walk with improved stride length and greater confidence on barn surfaces." Meet the guest: Martin Folkema https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-folkema-55451990/?originalSubdomain=ca is Product Manager at Agri-Comfort, a division of the Agri-Plastic Group of Companies in Canada. With more than two decades of experience in rubber flooring solutions for livestock facilities, work focuses on improving cow comfort, hoof health, and barn design efficiency. Industry experience includes farm management, sales, and product development supporting dairy production systems. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+dairy+podcast+show What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:44) Introduction (04:26) Lameness prevalence (05:44) Concrete impact (08:06) Rubber shock absorption (14:17) Rubber research (17:02) Cow longevity (25:31) Final Questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * Agri-Comfort (https://agri-comfort.com/the-dairy-podcast/) * Jones-Hamilton Co. (https://joneshamiltonag.com/) * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) * Afimilk (https://hubs.la/Q03f1mLN0) * CowManager (https://www.cowmanager.com/) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) - Agrarian Solutions (https://agrariansolutions.com/) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - BoviSync (https://bovisync.com/) - dsm-firmenich (https://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - Protekta (https://protekta.com) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) - DietForge (https://dietforge.ai/) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://www.wisenetix.com/dairypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dairypodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairy-podcast/ #podcast #agriculture #dairy #milkproduction #cowfarming #dairyfarming #dairyfarm #dairycows #holstein #farm #livestock #farming

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Samantha Reighard, Dairy Nutrition and Management Consultant at Standard Dairy Consultants, shares how data-driven tools improve cow health, transition management, and feed consistency. She explains how activity monitoring, rumination trends, and proactive nutrition strategies help reduce variation and prevent health issues. Samantha also discusses dry-off management and heat-stress strategies. Listen now on all major platforms! “Data is superior to experience, and decisions should be based on measurable facts rather than assumptions.” Meet the guest: Samantha Reighard https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-reighard-3147a8124/ earned her B.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Spanish from Iowa State University. She serves as a Dairy Nutrition and Management Consultant at Standard Dairy Consultants, focusing on feed consistency, transition management, herd monitoring, and data-driven decision making. Samantha works closely with producers to improve cow longevity, productivity, and operational efficiency. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+dairy+podcast+show What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:36) Introduction (05:00) Data-driven nutrition (09:46) Activity monitoring tools (13:05) Transition cow management (14:36) Dry off strategies (16:51) Heat stress nutrition (24:44) Final Questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * CowManager (https://www.cowmanager.com/) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) * Agri-Comfort (https://agri-comfort.com/the-dairy-podcast/) * Jones-Hamilton Co. (https://joneshamiltonag.com/) * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) * Afimilk (https://hubs.la/Q03f1mLN0) - Agrarian Solutions (https://agrariansolutions.com/) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - BoviSync (https://bovisync.com/) - dsm-firmenich (https://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - Protekta (https://protekta.com) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) - DietForge (https://dietforge.ai/) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://www.wisenetix.com/dairypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dairypodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairy-podcast/ #podcast #agriculture #dairy #milkproduction #cowfarming #dairyfarming #dairyfarm #dairycows #holstein #farm #livestock #farming

In this special re-run episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, marking International Women's Day, we bring back our conversation with Tara Vander Dussen, a fifth-generation dairy farmer and environmental scientist, who discusses the critical issues surrounding sustainability in dairy farming. Tara shares her unique journey from environmental consulting to podcasting, highlighting water use, sustainability practices, and how dairy farmers can balance environmental concerns with production. Learn about the latest challenges in water conservation, the importance of educating consumers, and how small management changes can make a big impact. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform! "Water use in dairy is not just about big projects. Sometimes it's the small management changes that make a big difference." Meet the guest: Tara Vander Dussen https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-vander-dussen/ is an environmental scientist and fifth-generation dairy farmer in eastern New Mexico, with a B.S. in Soil Water and Environmental Science from the University of Arizona. Her work has focused on dairy environmental compliance, water use, and manure management, while also translating complex sustainability topics for broader audiences through digital media. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+dairy+podcast+show What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:54) Introduction (04:14) Environmental science (06:29) Water conservation (15:03) Educating consumers (22:33) Consumer-driven in dairy (27:09) Digital media (28:09) Final three questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * Afimilk (https://hubs.la/Q03f1mLN0) * CowManager (https://www.cowmanager.com/) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) * Agri-Comfort (https://agri-comfort.com/the-dairy-podcast/) * Jones-Hamilton Co. (https://joneshamiltonag.com/) * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) - DietForge (https://dietforge.ai/) - Agrarian Solutions (https://agrariansolutions.com/) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - BoviSync (https://bovisync.com/) - dsm-firmenich (https://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - Protekta (https://protekta.com) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://www.wisenetix.com/dairypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dairypodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairy-podcast/ #podcast #agriculture #dairy #milkproduction #cowfarming #dairyfarming #dairyfarm #dairycows #holstein #farm #livestock #farming

In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Joey Bray from Jones-Hamilton Co. Animal Nutrition & Health explains why ammonia is a major challenge in dairy facilities and how pH influences pathogen pressure and infection risk. He introduces sodium bisulfate as a practical tool for lowering pH, sharing calf research results and broader dairy applications, including calf housing and footbath systems. Learn practical strategies to improve air quality, animal welfare, and productivity in dairy operations. Listen now on all major platforms! "When ammonia stays consistent in the environment, it leads to respiratory issues and damage to respiratory tissues." Meet the guest: Dr. Joey Bray https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-bray-88049525/ earned his BS and MS in Animal Sciences from Stephen F. Austin State University and his PhD in Poultry Management from Texas A&M University. After more than a decade in academia as a professor and department chair, he transitioned into industry. He currently serves as a Technical Support Representative at Jones-Hamilton Co. Animal Nutrition & Health, focusing on environmental pH management, ammonia control, and practical solutions for animal health. Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love! https://www.wisenetix.com/blog?tag=the+dairy+podcast+show What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (00:53) Introduction (02:59) Ammonia formation (07:00) pH and moisture (09:59) Sodium bisulfate (15:16) Calf research (22:14) Footbath use (31:11) Final three questions The Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like: * Jones-Hamilton Co. (https://joneshamiltonag.com/) * Lallemand (https://cleanfeedapproach.com/) * CowManager (https://www.cowmanager.com/) * Afimilk (https://hubs.la/Q03f1mLN0) * Evonik (https://animal-nutrition.evonik.com/en/species/ruminants) * Priority IAC (https://priorityiac.com/) * Adisseo (https://www.adisseo.com/) * Agri-Comfort (https://agri-comfort.com/the-dairy-podcast/) - dsm-firmenich (https://dsm-firmenich.com/VictusTransition) - Protekta (https://protekta.com) - DietForge (https://dietforge.ai/) - BoviSync (https://bovisync.com/) - Berg + Schmidt (https://animalnutrition.berg-schmidt.com/) - Natural Biologics (https://naturalbiologics.com/) - Agrarian Solutions (https://agrariansolutions.com/) - AHV (https://ahvint.com/us/) 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺. Website: https://www.wisenetix.com/dairypodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dairypodcast/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dairy-podcast/ #podcast #agriculture #dairy #milkproduction #cowfarming #dairyfarming #dairyfarm #dairycows #holstein #farm #livestock #farming